triple negative-HELP

janekhaldy

God Bless all of you! I too have been diagnosed with triple negative cancer and have been very frustrated with the lack of info on the internet on this subject.

OneBadBoob

Hello Jane from another Jane.

Sorry you have had to join us here, but you will find the support and information invaluable.

Shirlann

Hi Jane, I understand that being Triple Negative means we do not benefit from Tamoxifen or Femara, the hormone treatments, because our cancers are not hormone driven.  Or, they were not caused by Estrogen or Progesteron.  When I was diagnosed 9 years ago, not much was made of this.  Lately, it has become huge.  Personally, I was glad I did not have to take the drugs, but I guess I was just stupid.

But I am fine and I know many, many other Triple negs who are just fine years after treatment.

The latest study I have seen says that the first two or three years, we have a higher chance of recurrence.  But if we make it to 2-3 years, then the recurrence rate drops to almost nothing.  While the other types taper off at a slower rate.

Anyway, I was so dumb back then, I was glad.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann

nosurrender

Shirlann, that is what I used to think! i am so glad I don't have to take those hormonal drugs!

Jane,

Triple negative sounds really bad- just look at the name of it!

But all it means is that you are negative for Estrogen receptors, Progesterone receptors, and the Her2nue receptor.

being estrogen and progesterone receptor negative only means that your cancer wasn't fueled  by these two hormones. So your body, in effect, wasn't feeding the cancer.

being negative for the Her2nue receptor is a GOOD THING because that makes your cancer grow.

And Shirlann is right- the longer you go recurrence free from your triple negative diagnosis the greater your chances are that it won't EVER come back.

And one more thing- CHEMO works better on tripleneg!

Hang in there!!

g